John 13:10 (NKJV) – Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet…
In Israel during Jesus’ life, people walked with sandals on dusty roads. Even if they had already washed and been clean, the part of their body which was exposed by everyday life (in this case their feet) would become dirty and covered in the filth of what they walked through. To remove this filth, when they would enter the home they would wash the filth of their daily journey off so as not to contaminate/pollute the house. How plain does this make our walk with Christ?!!! We have been made clean, yet constantly pick up filth just by living in the world, even though we are saved!
Interestingly, Jesus also told Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8 NKJV)
The same way, as believers of Christ, we need to continually be sanctified due to daily exposure to the evils in our world communicated through television, immoral and sensual music all around us, sexual temptations, and mire. We face so much pressure to live contrary to our salvation that it is mind blowing at times, but that is how Satan works. After all, the whole world is under his influence.
Because Jesus knew that we would remain in an evil world till our death or His return, He has made adequate provision for us to continually be sanctified so that we can remain in Him. This is why we must abide in Him (His word, Spirit, and His truth). We read the word daily to purify our minds. We pray daily to purify our spirits and homes. We stay connected to godly communities to encourage us and remind us we are not alone in this.
1 John 5:8 – And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. Jesus, the True Vine, lived a perfect life on earth and asks you to remain in Him so you can continually be filled with His Holy Spirit, His word and be cleansed by His blood, through faith. He showed us it was possible to flee sin, and then gave us His Spirit to do it for us, through us. Through intimate connection with Him, we have access to His Spirit, His word and His blood for continual sanctification. (Ephesians 5:25-26, 1 Peter 1:2, 1John 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, John 17:17)
He is the Vine, you are His branch. He is your Head and you are a member of His body. Will you choose to abide?
PRAYER: Lord God, give me the grace to continually abide in you so that I can be continuously sanctified all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen.